Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Liscia and the others were being dressed in the castles great hall in an area divided by screens.

Because this had become a major event, we were perpetually shorthanded, and this allowed the maids and the makeup and dressing staff go back and forth from one to another.

When I took a peek inside, it was so full of stuff that it reminded me of being behind the scenes at a drama club event, but if they were done preparing, the room had likely been cleaned up a little.

Before heading to the great hall where Liscia and the others would be waiting, I headed to another room nearby.

I knocked and then entered. In that room were several people sitting around a long table chatting: Liscias parents, the former king Sir Albert and former queen Lady Elisha; Aishas father, Sir Wodan; Roroas grandfather, the old general Herman; and finally Junas grandmother, Excel.

Basically, this was where the families of the brides were gathered.

At one end of the table, next to Excel, a blue-haired man and woman were sitting there looking very small.

These were Junas parents. From what I had heard, they were merchants who operated the main Lorelei singing cafe back in Lagoon City. I was going to be marrying their daughter Juna, so they had needed to be invited as a matter of course, but even if they were related to Excel, being in a room with the former royal couple, generals, and nobles had to be difficult for them.

I might need to show some more consideration here.

While I was thinking that...

Youre right...

I am letting you, the man taking her as your wife, know about Sir Gaius, because I hope you will learn a lesson from him. Herman looked me straight in the eye. When you marry my granddaughter, you will also be becoming king. As king, I am sure you will put the country first. Because you believe that will protect your wives, and the children they will give birth to. Because you value family, you will put that family second or third, for their own benefit.

I had no words. That was exactly the kind of problem I might fall into.

When that happens, I want you to remember Sir Gaius, Herman said. While you put them second and third, before you realize it, that family may be gone. All that will be left is a country without those important to you. Could you remain a good king like that?

...Im not confident I could.

If I was being honest, I didnt think it was possible. But in my position, I couldnt come out and say that. If a king showed weakness, the people would be uneasy, and would cease to follow him.

Herman nodded. I cannot fault you for that. So I want you to look at your family as you look at your kingdom, and protect them the same as you would it. If the king builds a peaceful family, that is for the good of this nation, too.

Yes. Thank you for the lesson.

Building a peaceful family is for the good of the nation. Let me carve that sentiment into my heart.

I bowed my head to Herman, communicating my regards for the former princely couple of Amidonia.

Then Herman bowed his head to me. Ive spoken too long, but in the end, there is really just one thing I wanted to say. Please, make my granddaughter happy. That is all. So that, even when Im gone... that girl can always stay as bright and cheerful as she is now.

Yes, Ill see to it, grandfather.

The other parents watched this exchange between Herman and me with gentle eyes.

Except for two pairs of eyes, which looked to have frozen up with tension. It went without saying that those belonged to Junas parents.

I walked over and bowed my head to them with a wry smile. Im sorry. Ive put you in an awkward situation.

Oh! No... Were well aware how out of place we are here, Junas father said hastily, glancing around the room.

It must have been hard to relax with important figures from around the kingdom, including the former royal couple, here.

This man was Excels son, a handsome middle-aged fellow with blue hair.

He was human by race, so he looked older than Excel, but he must have been quite the looker in his youth. Next to him, Junas mother was every bit as beautiful as you would expect a descendant of loreleis to be.

Still, these two looked relatively plain compared to their current company.

Because I wanted to marry the primary and secondary queens at the same time, Ive put you two through a lot of trouble, I said.

Oh, no, Juna seems happy, and thats good enough for us, her father said quickly.

Thats right, her mother agreed. Please take care of her, until death do you part.

These were common blessings from common people. They made me more happy than anything.

Junas folks were wonderful people. Though Juna resembled Excel, her good nature and kindness must have been their influence.

Her father, in particular, was such a fine man, I couldnt believe he was Excels son.

...Youre thinking something rude, arent you? Excel demanded suspiciously.

No, not at all...

Excel narrowed her eyes at me, and I looked away.

Of course, a veteran like Excel was going to be sharp.

Then Lady Elisha, who had been watching our exchange, burst into giggles.

Hee hee hee! Now, now, son-in-law. Dont spend all your time with us; go and be with Liscia and the others. Im sure theyre waiting with bated breath.

Ah! That was right.

Yes, Mother. Now then, everyone, I will see you later.

I bowed to the parents and family one last time, and then left the room.

The grand hall where Liscia and the rest were waiting was right next to the waiting room where their families were.

There were guards standing on either side of the large doors, and they saluted me as I approached.

I stood in front of those doors, reached for the handle... then froze up.

On the other side of the door were Liscia and the others in their bridal clothing. The moment I thought that, my body refused to move. If I opened this door, our relationship would change. From engaged to married, from regent to king, from candidate to queen.

The fact was, I felt like Liscia, who had become a mother, had already changed. Having gained Cian and Kazuha, who were more important than her own life, she was even more stable than before, and would not be shaken easily.

What about me, though? Cian and Kazuha were more important than my life, too. But if you asked whether I had changed, I wasnt so sure.

In my old world, I had heard talk that womens values changed when they gave birth, but men never stopped being children.

Was it possible for me to grow in a way that was equal to the way Liscia and the others no doubt would?

When I thought that, I hesitated to open the door.

Looking at me as I stood motionless, as if time had stopped, the younger guard worriedly spoke to me.

Um, Your Majesty? Is something the

Shh. Get a clue. The middle-aged guard standing across from him brought a finger to his lips and silenced the young one.

Then, with a sage look, the middle-aged guard nodded at me.

Because, in the chaotic period after I first assumed the throne, I had spoken to everyone in the castle to use them as much as I could, and I had been eating with the guards and maids in the cafeteria, some of them would readily strike up a conversation with me. That trend was especially strong with the middle-aged guards and the granny-type maids.

They were polite, of course, and they wouldnt do it when anyone who liked to go on about the dignity of my position was around. But this man was one of those middle-aged guards.

You must be feeling uneasy, am I right? the middle-aged guard asked. I can understand. This is a path any man who decides to have a family goes down, after all.

Is that how it works? I asked.

Yes. I went through it when I married my wife. Though, that said, youve already long since prepared for this, right, sire? The only thing stopping you now is sentimentality.

Sentimentality...?

Sentimentality. Being sentimental. He had a point.

It went without saying that my relationship with Liscia and each of the others would change over time. There was nothing I could do about that, and I had long since accepted it.

I could only say that the reason I was still hesitating to go forward was that I was basking in sentimentality. It was a waste of time to think about it, you could say.

With a wry smile, I put my hand down on the middle-aged guards shoulder. Youve got a way with words. Its not like being indecisive now is going to change anything.

Yes. Besides, if you dawdle too long, your pretty wives are going to get mad, you know? He smirked.

Just as he said that, there was a shout from behind the door.

Souma! Youre there, arent you?! Get on with it, make up your mind, and get in here!

Y-Yes!

I stood up ramrod straight at the sound of Liscias voice, then hurriedly opened the door and rushed in. The guards immediately closed the doors behind me.

The glimpse of the middle-aged guard I got just before the doors fully shut, with a look on his face like, Theyll have him whipped in no time, irritated me.

But when I turned around...

The sight of Liscia, Aisha, Juna, Roroa, and Naden, all in wedding dresses, hit me with a shock so hard that it rattled my brain.

First, there was Liscia. She had her hair down today. She wore a pure and cute long dress with white as the main color, but a pink lining that peeked out from the hem. The sash around her waist was the same color as her military uniform, giving her a dignified beauty that was both gorgeous and very true to who she was as a person. She looked fit to represent all of the queens.

Aishas pure white dress was a stunning contrast with her brown skin. The ribbons on her head were also white, and it reflected her innocence. I had a strong impression of Aisha as a warrior, but she had a good figure, and was very attractive to me as a woman today.

On top of her white dress, Juna wore a blue corsage and sash that matched the color of her beautiful hair. The dress had a light blue tinge to it, too, reflecting her nobility, which was like the moon reflected in the water, and her enveloping kindness.

Roroas dress had a white base color, too, but the hem and sash shone with a light lemon yellow to match her cheer and youth. The dress gave off the same charm and cheer that she herself did, and even though it had a long skirt, she looked like she might start running around in it at any moment.

Nadens dress was a little shorter compared to the others. She was the only one with a tail, so that had likely been a decision to keep her from looking weird. The front was knee-length, but I thought that was a lovely representation of her flexibility and free spirit.

Five different women, five different dresses. All of them beautiful, all of them suited to the person wearing them.

They looked so brilliant in their wedding garb, I just stared at them, entranced, for a while.

As I stood there speechless, Liscia shyly asked, Arent you going to say anything?

R-Right... Youre pretty. All of you. You left me without words.

I was stammering for some reason, but everyone grinned.

M-Me, too? Aisha asked. Im taller than all the others, but is that still okay?

Hee hee hee, oh, Aisha, Juna giggled. Youre slender, but shapely. I think youre very pretty.

Shapely... Im not sure how I feel about Big Sis talkin about that, Roroa griped. How about you, Nadie?

I wish I had cleavage. Pretty desperately.

Dont pout on such a happy day, Liscia tried to mollify them. Besides, I think you two look lovely and wonderful in your dresses. I fully agreed with her.

Roroa and Naden were even more gorgeous than usual today, but in a pure way, feeling like true princesses.

Of course, Aisha and Juna, with their feminine sexiness were wonderful, too, and Liscia, who had the best parts of both camps, was marvelous in her grace.

Hahh... Looking at those five lovely ladies, I let out a sigh.

Whats wrong, Your Majesty? Have we done something to offend? Juna asked with concern.

Could you not sigh in front of us? Naden snapped in a prickly tone.

I hurriedly shook my head. Obviously there was nothing wrong with them, and I couldnt possibly be dissatisfied.

Its just... I have such lovely brides, so when I think we cant just have a normal wedding... Well, Im pretty disappointed.

Ahh, I went and planned this whole thing, and even Im thinkin that a bit, Roroa agreed with me.

The weddings in this world werent significantly different from Western-style weddings on Earth.

In a church, the bride and groom pledged their love before a priest or pastor.

That was the sort of ceremony Ludwin and Hal were likely having.